RRSP contribution limit

What is the RRSP deadline for 2023? 

The RRSP deadline for 2023 is February 29, 2024.

Why contribute before the deadline? RRSP contributions made before the deadline can help lower your taxable income, which may result in a tax refund after you’ve filed your 2023 taxes.

What if you miss the RRSP deadline? You can still make RRSP contributions, but your contributions won’t be tax-deductible until the following tax year (2024).

How much can I contribute to an RRSP?

You’re allowed to contribute up to 18% of your previous year's earned income, up to a maximum amount set each year by the Income Tax Act and Regulations. You can also carry forward any unused contribution room from previous years.

Year

RRSP contribution limit

2024 $31,560
2023 $30,780
2022

$29,210

2021 $27,830

2020 

$27,230

2019 

$26,500

2018

$26,230

2017  $26,010
2016 $25,370
2015 $24,930
2014 $24,270
2013 $23,820
2012 $22,970
2011 $22,450
2010 $22,000

Where can I find my RRSP contribution limit?

The Notice of Assessment that the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) sends to you each year after processing your tax return shows your RRSP contribution limit. This includes any unused contribution room from previous years. You can also sign in to your CRA account to view your limit on your Notice of Assessment.

Who can make an RRSP contribution?

As long as you have contribution room, you can make an RRSP contribution until the end of the year you turn age 71.

When can I make an RRSP contribution?

If you have contribution room, you can contribute at any time – either in a lump sum or by making periodic contributions throughout the year.

Contributions made in the first 60 days of the year can be used towards the previous year’s or current year’s contribution amount. The date usually falls around March 1 of the following year (subject to change because of leap years or if the 60th day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday). The government has also extended the deadline when natural disasters have occurred that could have interfered with people making their RRSP contributions (like the Quebec ice storm in 1997-1998).

The key to a healthy RRSP is to start early and establish a regular savings schedule. The longer your RRSP contributions are invested, the longer they will have to grow. Investing smaller amounts regularly reduces the stress of coming up with a lump sum, or worrying about what the markets are doing when you put a lump sum in your RRSP.

What if I can't contribute the full amount allowed?

You have a couple of options if you don’t have the cash on hand to contribute the full amount you’re allowed: You can carry your unused contribution room forward, or you can take out a loan.

You're allowed to carry forward any unused contribution room indefinitely. It simply gets added to your RRSP contribution limit, and you can use it at any time before the end of the year you turn age 71.

Depending on your personal financial circumstances and goals, you may want to look at the options for taking full advantage of your contribution room sooner rather than later.

What are some ways to increase my RRSP contributions?

There’s a few ways to do this:

1. You can borrow funds to contribute to your RRSP, and then use your income tax refund to pay the loan. Try the RRSP loan calculator to see if this might be the right option for you.

2. You can establish a PAC (pre-authorized chequing) where monthly contributions are made into the RRSP, as smaller amounts can be easier to manage than a lump sum contribution.

3. Increase the monthly contribution annually by the percentage of your annual salary increase. This way you’re always increasing the amount you save to achieve your retirement goals.

Try the RRSP loan calculator to see how this strategy might be right for you, and talk to an advisor to find out whether an RRSP loan is right for you.

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